New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) decided to hold the National Exit Test (NExT) proposed for the final-year medical students in the country twice a year. The students who joined the MBBS programme in 2019 will be the first batch to appear for the test next year.
The first phase of the examination, which will have computer-based multiple-choice questions and is conducted by AIIMS New Delhi, is scheduled to be held in May and November 2024. The second phase of the examination, which will evaluate candidates on practical or clinical skills, will be held in June and December for students who complete their internships.
The government has pitched NExT as a measure to improve the quality of MBBS students getting the licence to practise every year. The score of this examination will be taken into consideration while preparing the merit list for PG Medical admissions. The examination will also serve as an alternative to the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, which is held for students who look to pursue their higher studies in India after completing MBBS degrees in foreign countries.
According to the National Medical Commission, the mock test of the NExT examination will be held on July 28 to familiarise prospective candidates with the computer-based exam, software interface, and process flow in the examination centre. The registration process for the same has begun. The first of the examinations will be in six subjects. The candidates will have to answer 120 questions in any of the three subjects, including medicine. The duration of each exam will be three hours.
At the same time, for three subjects, including Paediatrics, the duration of the examination will be just 1.5 hours. The candidates will have to answer 60 questions.